Budget carrier Primera Air announces new route to Washington, DC

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This morning, Primera Air announced their fourth transatlantic route to Washington Dulles airport (IAD) with service to begin August 22nd to London Stansted airport (STN). PrimeraAir, one of the newest transatlantic budget carriers, begins service from Boston, New York, and Toronto this spring and summer.

PrimeraAir will be flying the new single-aisle Airbus A321neo, which is the size of a normal domestic plane, not your typical widebody jet. Regardless, Primera Air looks like a cheap way to fly if you can travel light. They typically offer prices as low as $99 one-way, and the new IAD route is already on sale for $199 one-way.

Thrifty Tip #1: Carry-on bags of less than 10 kg (22 lbs) are free. Most carry-on bags should work (21x18x10 in). Checked bags are $45 each way.

Thrifty Tip #2: Seat assignment is $45. I say roll the dice and try checking in online ASAP 24 hrs before. You should be able to snag a seat, which hopefully won’t be in the middle.

Primera Air Transatlantic routes:

New York (EWR) to Paris (May 19th), London (April 19th), and Birmingham (May 18th)

Toronto (YYZ) to London (May 19th), and Birmingham (June 23rd )

Washington Dulles (IAD) to London (August 22nd)

Bottom Line

More competition is always good for the consumer. I’m excited to fly Primera Air on the inaugural flight from London to New York on April 19th. Look for a full review shortly after. Primera Air looks like a solid airline if you understand the fees and how to avoid them.